Ascension is a music-loving parish. At our 10:00am Sung Mass on Sundays, we sing most portions of the Mass, as well as psalms and hymns. Our music is traditional, reverent, and joyful. Selections come from the Hymnal 1982 and the old and new classics of sacred music.

music in our worship

At 10:00am Sung Mass, our worship is accompanied by the sound of our one-manual, five rank Coulter organ, a unique baroque-style tracker instrument which is ideal for Renaissance and Baroque organ repertoire. The hymn accompaniment style is intended to encourage joyful, confident singing by the congregation.

At a typical Sung Mass, the congregation will sing settings of the Rite I Mass from The Hymnal 1982, as well as four to five hymns and a chanted psalm. Our worship is also often enhanced by musical offerings from vocal or instrumental soloists.

ascension CHAmber choir

Our chamber choir is composed of members of our congregation. The choir sings a Festival of Lessons and Carols service each year in December, as well as singing anthems and motets for special services such as Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, Easter Sunday and Ascension Day.

The choir is open to singers aged teen to adult. Rehearsals for the Advent season take place October - December at 9:00am on Sundays. Rehearsals for Holy Week take place on Sundays at 9:00am from February until Easter.

Our choir focuses on classics of the Anglican choral literature, and rehearsals are accessible and fun. If you are interested in joining us, please email our Minister of Music, Emma Mildred Riggle.

Margaret Jones in recital at Ascension

concerts at ascension

Our lovely historic chapel boasts a generous acoustic, and it is an ideal venue for intimate chamber performances. Vocal soloists frequently join us for worship services, and our chapel has also hosted recitals by singers, organists, string players, early music specialists and more.

Our beautiful parlor is another fine venue for recitals, with its restored historic Chickering grand piano. Recent concerts in our parlor have included classical song recitals and jazz performances.

maundy Thursday choral service

lecture: easter in music

April 15, 2018, 9:00 A.M.

Minister of Music Emma Riggle offers a short musicological lecture exploring Easter as depicted in music throughout the years. This talk is part of Ascension's ongoing series, SpeakUp! Ascension Talks.